A look at Guntersville Classic

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The Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk is finally here. Competition days are March 6-8.
The Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk is finally here. Competition days are March 6-8.
Alabama’s famed Lake Guntersville will be the fishery for the 50th anniversary Classic, where 53 anglers who qualified over the past year vie for the winner’s purse of $300,000. “The Classic is literally a life-changing event for the angler who wins,
Alabama’s famed Lake Guntersville will be the fishery for the 50th anniversary Classic, where 53 anglers who qualified over the past year vie for the winner’s purse of $300,000. “The Classic is literally a life-changing event for the angler who wins,” B.A.S.S. Director Chase Anderson said. “It exemplifies what Bassmaster competition stands for: ‘Big Bass. Big Stage. Big Dreams.’”
This will be the third Classic on Lake Guntersville and the ninth championship hosted by Birmingham. Alabama will be hosting its 13th Classic, twice as many as any other state. “It’s fitting that the golden anniversary Classic be held in Alabama, where B.A.S.S. was founded more than 50 years ago,
This will be the third Classic on Lake Guntersville and the ninth championship hosted by Birmingham. Alabama will be hosting its 13th Classic, twice as many as any other state. “It’s fitting that the golden anniversary Classic be held in Alabama, where B.A.S.S. was founded more than 50 years ago,” B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin said. “Our plans are to make this the most spectacular celebration of bass fishing in history.”
A record 153,809 attended last year’s Classic, and B.A.S.S. has hopes of topping that. The Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd., will host the Bassmaster Classic Expo, where most every business in the industry will be represented.
A record 153,809 attended last year’s Classic, and B.A.S.S. has hopes of topping that. The Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd., will host the Bassmaster Classic Expo, where most every business in the industry will be represented.
The weigh-ins will be a short walk away in the BJCC at Legacy Arena, 1001 19th St. North.
The weigh-ins will be a short walk away in the BJCC at Legacy Arena, 1001 19th St. North.
The Classic show inside Legacy Arena promises to be spectacular, with pre-show activities starting right after doors open to the public at 3:15 p.m. CT each day, and the first fish is slated to be weighed at 4:30.
The Classic show inside Legacy Arena promises to be spectacular, with pre-show activities starting right after doors open to the public at 3:15 p.m. CT each day, and the first fish is slated to be weighed at 4:30.
Launch festivities will take place in Guntersville at Civitan Park, 1130 Sunset Drive. Activity is underway before first light, and the anglers are set to take off at 7 a.m.
Launch festivities will take place in Guntersville at Civitan Park, 1130 Sunset Drive. Activity is underway before first light, and the anglers are set to take off at 7 a.m.
Lake Guntersville is the state’s largest lake at 69,100 acres, and it has been considered one of the best bass lakes in the country for years. B.A.S.S. has a lengthy history on Big G, which is the second-most fished venue with 23 pro level tournaments, standing behind only Sam Rayburn (32).
Lake Guntersville is the state’s largest lake at 69,100 acres, and it has been considered one of the best bass lakes in the country for years. B.A.S.S. has a lengthy history on Big G, which is the second-most fished venue with 23 pro level tournaments, standing behind only Sam Rayburn (32).
The lake is impounded by Guntersville Dam, a Tennessee Valley Authority project completed in 1939. Backing up to Nickajack Dam, Guntersville is a 75-mile long reservoir of the Tennessee River that boasts 949 miles of shoreline and plenty of big bass.
The lake is impounded by Guntersville Dam, a Tennessee Valley Authority project completed in 1939. Backing up to Nickajack Dam, Guntersville is a 75-mile long reservoir of the Tennessee River that boasts 949 miles of shoreline and plenty of big bass.
Rick Clunn altered his career path by winning the 1976 Classic on Guntersville. Almost broke, he had to pawn a deer rifle to make it to the meeting point before heading to the mystery lake. Clunn won throwing by a spinnerbait around Brown Creek bridges, and it set him on his way to becoming an icon in the industry.
Rick Clunn altered his career path by winning the 1976 Classic on Guntersville. Almost broke, he had to pawn a deer rifle to make it to the meeting point before heading to the mystery lake. Clunn won throwing by a spinnerbait around Brown Creek bridges, and it set him on his way to becoming an icon in the industry.
Randy Howell won the 2014 Classic on Guntersville with a final-day charge of 29 pounds, 2 ounces. Intuition had him turn around soon after taking off and head to his winning area in Spring Creek. “I must have caught 75 fish there between 9 o'clock and 2:30,
Randy Howell won the 2014 Classic on Guntersville with a final-day charge of 29 pounds, 2 ounces. Intuition had him turn around soon after taking off and head to his winning area in Spring Creek. “I must have caught 75 fish there between 9 o’clock and 2:30,” Howell said. “I’ve been catching them off bridges in Guntersville for years and years … Everybody knows about these bridges in Guntersville now.”
Howell produced the biggest Classic rally at the time, coming from 11th place and 9 pounds out of the lead to win the championship.
Howell produced the biggest Classic rally at the time, coming from 11th place and 9 pounds out of the lead to win the championship.
Paul Mueller, who won his second Elite event last month, set the one-day Classic mark with 32-2 on Day 2 in 2014 but finished second to Howell. Had he not been two fish short of a limit on Day 1, Mueller could have become only the second B.A.S.S. Nation qualifier to win the championship.
Paul Mueller, who won his second Elite event last month, set the one-day Classic mark with 32-2 on Day 2 in 2014 but finished second to Howell. Had he not been two fish short of a limit on Day 1, Mueller could have become only the second B.A.S.S. Nation qualifier to win the championship.
If the weather holds out, the timing is right for Classic records to fall, says Bassmaster TV analyst and former Classic champion Davy Hite. He added that any angler has the potential to catch 25 pounds of bass in 10 casts, and he fully expects it to happen this year.
If the weather holds out, the timing is right for Classic records to fall, says Bassmaster TV analyst and former Classic champion Davy Hite. He added that any angler has the potential to catch 25 pounds of bass in 10 casts, and he fully expects it to happen this year.
From Civitan Park, the anglers have a 73-mile drive to Legacy Arena for the weigh-ins. Crews take great care handling the fish, which are put in release boats and taken back to the lake.
From Civitan Park, the anglers have a 73-mile drive to Legacy Arena for the weigh-ins. Crews take great care handling the fish, which are put in release boats and taken back to the lake.
Inside the Expo, there is plenty to see and do. Some companies debut products here, and others offer deep discounts on gear. Before the Expo, the Bassmaster Classic Kickoff Party Benefiting Children’s of Alabama will be held Thurs. from 5-9 p.m. at the Uptown area of Birmingham.
Inside the Expo, there is plenty to see and do. Some companies debut products here, and others offer deep discounts on gear. Before the Expo, the Bassmaster Classic Kickoff Party Benefiting Children’s of Alabama will be held Thurs. from 5-9 p.m. at the Uptown area of Birmingham.
At the Expo, many of the anglers not fishing are on hand at sponsor booths, making it a prime time to hobnob and collect autographs.
At the Expo, many of the anglers not fishing are on hand at sponsor booths, making it a prime time to hobnob and collect autographs.
Luminaries in the industry are present, like Jimmy Houston spinning yarns. “We are thrilled that the Bassmaster Classic will be returning to the Birmingham region once again,” said John Oros, president and CEO of the Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau. “This event is the pinnacle of professional bass fishing, and it attracts the greatest anglers in the world … We expect that the economic impact of the event will equal or exceed the $32 million spent in hotels, restaurants, attractions and retailers this past year in Knoxville, Tenn.
Luminaries in the industry are present, like Jimmy Houston spinning yarns. “We are thrilled that the Bassmaster Classic will be returning to the Birmingham region once again,” said John Oros, president and CEO of the Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau. “This event is the pinnacle of professional bass fishing, and it attracts the greatest anglers in the world … We expect that the economic impact of the event will equal or exceed the $32 million spent in hotels, restaurants, attractions and retailers this past year in Knoxville, Tenn.”
The B.A.S.S. booth is a popular place at the Expo, often crowded as fans check out Bassmaster LIVE on the big screen. Live streaming cameras put spectators in the boat with anglers.
The B.A.S.S. booth is a popular place at the Expo, often crowded as fans check out Bassmaster LIVE on the big screen. Live streaming cameras put spectators in the boat with anglers.
Tommy Sanders hosts LIVE with Davy Hite and Mark Zona providing expert analysis on what’s happening and what might happen. Ronnie Moore, Dave Mercer, Robbie Floyd, Mike Suchan and the entire B.A.S.S. media crew, as well as Classic Marshals, report on almost every facet of the week and competition.
Tommy Sanders hosts LIVE with Davy Hite and Mark Zona providing expert analysis on what’s happening and what might happen. Ronnie Moore, Dave Mercer, Robbie Floyd, Mike Suchan and the entire B.A.S.S. media crew, as well as Classic Marshals, report on almost every facet of the week and competition.
Late in the afternoon, the crowds begin to make their way from the Expo over to the adjacent arena for Classic weigh-ins, the greatest spectacle in the sport.
Late in the afternoon, the crowds begin to make their way from the Expo over to the adjacent arena for Classic weigh-ins, the greatest spectacle in the sport.
There might even be a surprise or two, like Mueller climbing from the middle of the pack into title contention with his record day.
There might even be a surprise or two, like Mueller climbing from the middle of the pack into title contention with his record day.
The event culminates Sunday evening with the crowning of Classic champ and trophy hoist, complete with confetti cannons. With no previous champions competing, the 50th anniversary will be marked by the 40th different angler to win the title and give credence to the slogan: Big Bass. Big Stage. Big Dreams.
The event culminates Sunday evening with the crowning of Classic champ and trophy hoist, complete with confetti cannons. With no previous champions competing, the 50th anniversary will be marked by the 40th different angler to win the title and give credence to the slogan: Big Bass. Big Stage. Big Dreams.
“It honors the angler who can catch the biggest bass of the week, and weigh them on the biggest stage in bass fishing, and fulfill the biggest dream any angler can have,” B.A.S.S. Director Chase Anderson said. “No title in professional fishing holds the same clout as ‘Classic champion.’”
“It honors the angler who can catch the biggest bass of the week, and weigh them on the biggest stage in bass fishing, and fulfill the biggest dream any angler can have,” B.A.S.S. Director Chase Anderson said. “No title in professional fishing holds the same clout as ‘Classic champion.’”